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Wildland Firefighting -- boots

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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
Hey guys, just curious who here is a Wildland Firefighter? I just got offered a job through the BLM this summer, pretty stoked.

I need to buy boots. My boss just emailed me and said that I need boots that are at least 8".
He sent me a link to Whites Boots, Nicks Boots, Drews Boots, Baker Shoe, Lowa Boots, Scarpa and La Sportiva.

I know that if skiing and wild land firefighting have anything in common, it is that you dont want to skip out on a good boot. I was wondering if there are any wildland firefighters here, what are your recommendations for boots? Any other brands worth looking into?

Also, I want to try the boots on before I purchase obviously, but where would I do so? I have never really been in a store and seen fire boots before.
Mar 8 2017 4:19PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
caroline.You're gonna have a blast.

My first season I had a redwings for about a month, they have their time and place, never, and in the garbage. I also had logger style danners for a while, but I didn't care for the clunky heel, but I keep them around for backups, and prevention events (gross).

Everyone has their preference. Lots of guys who used to swear by their old whites/ nicks (I like nicks better but that's just me) are switching over to the fire hiker style. Scarpa makes a really solid one that I've heard very few complaints about. I have a pair of Thorogood firestalkers that have taken me up the steepest hills comfortably (comfortably being a relative term), but also hold up to saw work and hot spots. They're a pretty solid hybrid of a work boot and a hiker, all black leather and taller than the Lowas, Scarpas, or La Sportivas.

Enjoy your black teeth and MREs! Let me know if you have an other questions about wildland in general and I'll do my best!


Yes I have been fitted for a pair of whites. Gonna try some drews on next week, and if they don't feel good then I'll probably end up getting the whites. Didn't have a chance to try on the nicks.
Mar 23 2017 2:46PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,367
Op did the boots work out?
FYI Montana is burning hard this season. Who else is out here?
Aug 10 2017 8:08PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
50KalOp did the boots work out?
FYI Montana is burning hard this season. Who else is out here?


Working great. Ended up with the drews. Been on 15 fires so far which is pretty good for a rookie season. Been fighting mostly in Idaho since that's where I'm stationed, just got done fighting fire in Nevada, and I'm currently in Wyoming for fire.

I'm on an engine crew but doing a detail/roll on a hand crew right now for a couple weeks. Once I'm done with this roll I'll have a few days back in Idaho then back to school.
Aug 10 2017 11:20PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,367
Sick.
Aug 11 2017 11:58AM
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_CC_
Posts: 3890 - Karma: 747
50KalOp did the boots work out?
FYI Montana is burning hard this season. Who else is out here?


Yeah montucky is kicking our asses!! My district up in the Flathead is mellow compared to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Lolo and out east. We're dry but the weather has been merciful. The valley a few more strikes and a high Haines/ wind day from a shitstorm. Hope everyone's season is going well!
Aug 16 2017 1:26AM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,178
How many people here are actually fighting fire or interested? Wondering if I should make a thread to share some pics, stories, and what not.
Aug 16 2017 10:21PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,367
Yeah we should have one
Aug 17 2017 9:39AM
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Session
Posts: 5318 - Karma: 21,372
.lenconHow many people here are actually fighting fire or interested? Wondering if I should make a thread to share some pics, stories, and what not.


I would be super interested in pics and stories.
Aug 17 2017 12:54PM
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Pataguccimane
Posts: 548 - Karma: 1,136
I'd be very interested. A family friend of ours who is a fire captain at our closest forest service station got me interested in it as they're in need of wildland firefighters for next summer, and over the past few weeks I've developed a crazy interest in it and have been thinking of making a career out of it. I've been researching all sorts of opportunities and how and what I can go about making this a reality but haven't gotten the chance to really sit down and hear people's stories, experiences and advice about it.
Aug 17 2017 12:55PM
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laws
Posts: 373 - Karma: 789
I'm also super interested, hopefully I can get a job once I finish out my senior year! I would love to ask some questions about getting hired and some requirements ect.
Aug 24 2017 10:24PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2826 - Karma: 5,367
Made a wildfire thread.

https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/854141/Wildfire-thread
Aug 25 2017 12:26PM
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